Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It? Here’s What Really Happens
Written by
Barb Nefer
Edited by
Emily Gadd
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Good news — checking your own credit score will never lower it.
When you look at your score, it’s known as a soft inquiry, and these don’t negatively affect your credit rating. You could check your score daily if you wanted to, without a single point ever disappearing from your score.
What’s the Difference Between Soft and Hard Credit Checks?
Understanding the difference between these two credit checks will give you confidence and peace of mind.
Here’s an easy breakdown:
| Soft Inquiry | Hard Inquiry |
|---|---|
| Checking your own score | Applying for a loan or credit card |
| Employer background checks | Getting a mortgage or car loan |
| Pre-approved credit offers | Opening a new line of credit |
| Impact on score: Zero | Impact on score: Slight drop |
A soft inquiry is just a harmless peek at your credit. Examples include:
- Checking your own credit report or score
- Pre-approved credit card or loan offers you receive in the mail
- Employer background checks or rental applications
A hard inquiry, on the other hand, happens when you’re actively applying for credit, like:
- Applying for a new credit card
- Getting approved for a car loan or mortgage
- Requesting any type of loan or significant line of credit
Hard inquiries typically shave a few points off your credit score, though usually just temporarily.
How Much Does a Hard Inquiry Lower Your Score?
Usually, a hard inquiry knocks your credit score down by about five points or less.
If your credit history is limited, or if you’ve applied for multiple credit cards or loans recently, these inquiries can have a bigger impact. Multiple hard checks in a short span signal lenders that you’re actively looking for new credit — which might appear as financial stress or risk.
But don’t worry too much: a single hard inquiry is minor, and its impact fades within a year or less.
When Should You Check Your Credit Score?
Regularly keeping an eye on your credit is a smart financial habit. You should consider checking your score:
- Before applying for new credit: Knowing your credit beforehand can help you gauge your likelihood of approval or better rates.
- Every couple of months: Staying regularly updated helps you track your credit-building progress or spot any potential issues.
- After paying off debt: Checking your credit post-debt repayment can show you clear improvements to your score.
- When you’re trying to improve your credit: Regular check-ups help motivate you and show your efforts paying off over time.
How Can You Check Your Credit Score for Free?
There are plenty of safe, easy ways to check your credit without paying a dime:
- Credit Monitoring Apps: These third-party apps gives you easy, constant access to your credit score.
- Your Bank or Credit Card Company: Many financial institutions now offer free credit monitoring as part of your account perks.
- AnnualCreditReport.com: For a complete credit report (though not always the score itself), this government-backed site lets you pull your credit reports annually from the three major bureaus at no cost.
Common Myths About Checking Your Credit Score
Let’s quickly bust some myths that still worry a lot of people:
| Myth | Truth |
|---|---|
| Checking your credit always lowers your score. | Checking your credit is harmless — soft inquiries never lower your score. |
| You’re limited to checking your credit score just once a year. | You can safely check your score whenever you’d like. |
Be Confident When Checking Your Credit Score
So, does checking your credit score lower it? No — at least when you’re checking it yourself. Staying informed about your credit regularly will empower you financially and help you make smart money moves.
Knowing what your credit is at helps you:
- Get better deals on loans and credit cards.
- Fix issues quickly if errors or fraud show up.
- Gain peace of mind about your financial health.
FAQ
Here are some common questions and concerns that come up while looking into checking your credit score:- Does checking your credit score lower it?
- Nope -- checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and has zero impact on your credit score.
- What’s the difference between checking your credit and applying for credit?
- Â Checking your credit (soft inquiry) won't affect your score. But applying for credit (hard inquiry) could slightly reduce your score temporarily.
- How often should you check your credit score?
- Â Experts recommend checking your credit at least quarterly. You can do it more often if you're working to improve your credit or applying for new loans.
- Is checking your credit score too often bad?
- No, you can safely check your score as often as you'd like without any penalty.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
- FTC "Free Credit Reports"
- AnnualCreditReport.com "website"
- FTC "Understanding Your Credit"
- USA.gov "Learn about your credit report and how to get a copy"
